Questions about the CPAP machines

[robbnva]

ok so long story cut short, due to some change in PCPs a year and a half ago, I was told some inaccurate information and turns out I should have been on a CPAP this whole time. I am now being told to go speak with the sleep medicine doctor and get fitted with a CPAP machine.

so of course I am freaking out and knew this is the place for advice.

First things first, I was told I have mild sleep apnea and the setting on my CPAP machine is supposed to be 8% (or 8 something to do with water, idk really)

so my biggest concerns are

1. I am a pretty sensitive sleeper, I am afraid I wont be able to sleep with this thing on me, especially since I normally sleep on my stomach.
2. I am worried how much noise will it make, it's bad enough I keep my wife awake with my snoring, but the fear the cpap would keep her awake is now what I am dealing with.

all of this came up cause there is this elective (ha, they say elective, I say it's pretty damn mandatory) and I will need general anesthesia and I won't be cleared for surgery unless my apnea has been managed with my CPAP for a minimum of 1 to 2 months.

A buddy on facebook claimed he had one, it didn't work, and now he has it sitting around collecting dust, so nedless to say I don't trust his opinion.

can people please shed some light on to what I should expect ?

No, I am not sure what kind of machine I will be getting (suggestions of the most conformtable or whatever would be nice)

any advice would be greatly appreciated. I will try and check in daily and answer any questions

[Pugsy]

Have you read Janknitz blog? If not then you need to.
http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/ and be sure to read the other tab section "What you need to know before you meet your DME" as well as the machine information page.

These new machines really don't make much noise and the most that is heard is probably mask venting noise with inhale and exhale.

The use of a mask won't prevent sleeping on your stomach. It depends on the mask and your bed pillow but I often sleep on my stomach. My head is just at the edge of my bed pillow though.

The term for your pressure needs is 8 cm which means that much pressure will displace water 8 cm. It is a relatively low setting. The lowest being 4 cm on most machines and the highest being 20 cm on the regular cpap and apap machines.

Without knowing what issues your friend who has the machine in the closet may have had we really can't comment on why it failed for him but there is no reason to assume that you will have similar issues.
Some people take to wearing the mask and using the machine really easily and others struggle for various reasons but pretty much every problem that has ever been experienced someone on this forum will have faced and be willing to help.

[jweeks]

so of course I am freaking out and knew this is the place for advice.

Hi,

You have a right to be freaked out. This is a lot of change, and a lot of unknown. But you are doing the right thing...asking questions and learning about it. I won't tell you that it is completely easy, and I won't tell you that you will not have a few challenges or problems to solve. The bright side of the equation is that OSA is a deadly serious disease, and you are taking the right steps to get it treated. This could save your life, and could save you from getting something far worse like heart or brain damage (both of which are caused by long term untreated OSA). I will tell you that CPAP has been a game changer in my life, and I am thankful that there is a treatment for OSA that I can live with.

1. I am a pretty sensitive sleeper, I am afraid I wont be able to sleep with this thing on me, especially since I normally sleep on my stomach.

This is probably something that you will end up changing. I also used to sleep on my stomach. In a sleep study, they typically want you to be on your back since that is often where your OSA is the worst. Some folks do much better on their side. I am now a side sleeper, usually on my left side, but sometimes on my right side. It was a pretty easy transition for me. Some folks have a harder time not sleeping on their back, but there are tricks to help train yourself if that becomes an issue. I wouldn't consider this a show-stopper.

2. I am worried how much noise will it make, it's bad enough I keep my wife awake with my snoring, but the fear the cpap would keep her awake is now what I am dealing with.

Noise is normally not an issue. First, the machines are pretty quiet, much quieter than snoring. It is also a steady noise that is like white noise, so it generally isn't disruptive. I think she will like the change, and I know that she will feel so much better when you are no longer snoring. The second aspect is that you want your machine lower than your bed so the moisture in the tube runs back down into the water tray in the machine. That means that the machine will be next to your mattress, and the mattress will absorb much of the sound.

A buddy on facebook claimed he had one, it didn't work, and now he has it sitting around collecting dust, so nedless to say I don't trust his opinion.

You can trust that he believes what he says. The reality is that 50% of patients give up during their first year. Just think about that the next time you are driving on the highway--as many as 1 in 15 drivers in the oncoming traffic might be falling asleep every few minutes due to untreated OSA.

People who give of often fail for one of two reasons. First, they don't believe that they have an issue, or that OSA is serious. If you are leaning towards that camp, all you need to do is read about what happened to NFL Reggie White (the Minister of Defense from the Green Bay Superbowl team). The other reason is that people are unable to find a comfortable mask. This is often the fault of the medical equipment providers who are more interested in a quick buck than in patient success. There are dozens of different masks on the market. I have tried almost all of them, and I hate almost all of them. But one works well for me, and that makes all the difference for me. You might strike gold with the first mask, or you might have to go through a few to find the one that works for your face.

So, there you go. That is about as honest as I can put it. Yes, CPAP means some changes in your life. But it also means that you probably will have fewer health problems going forward, something that is probably very important to your family and loved ones. If you don't do this for yourself, then do it for them.

-john-

[user from Singapore]

robbnva,

I can only agree with what what just said before me.

On a personal note, it took me far too long to decide to do a sleep study and subsequently get my CPAP machine. I would not sleep without it now.

[Robbnva]

Thanks for all the responses. I guess I will give it a try and see how things go...

[chunkyfrog]

There are dozens of different masks--get one that fits.
Untreated OSA is linked to diabetes, obesity, headaches, heart disease, and EDS,
and a ton of other things that will kill you sooner than you deserve.
Athletes find CPAP imroves their performance.
I lost my killer headaches and my horrible temper.
My husband is friskier.

[Robbnva]

yeah that is a good question, how do I know which one fits best or is the most comfortable..

and if this helps me improve my temper, even better

[user from Singapore]

how do I know which one fits best or is the most comfortable..

Trial and error I guess...